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What does CDA stand for?
CDA stands for Child Development Associate.
Who gives the CDA credential?
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, located in Washington, D.C., administers the assessment and credentialing of child care providers. The purpose of the CDA National Credentialing Program is to enhance the quality of child care by defining, evaluating, and recognizing the competence of child care providers. You can find more information about the CDA council at the website: www.cdacouncil.org or you may call them at: 1-800-424-4310. The address of the council is: 2460 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-3575
What are the requirements to apply for a CDA credential?
- Personal - Must be 18 years old; have a high school diploma or equivalent; be able to speak, read, write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of the CDA candidate; and be willing to sign a statement of ethical conduct.
- Setting - Have a center or family home setting (that meets the minimum requirements for state and/or local licensing, approval, or registration) where you can be observed working as the primary caregiver.
- Experience – Must have had, within the last 5 years, at least 480 hours of experience working with children aged birth to 5 years in a group setting.
- Education - Must have completed within the last 5 years, 120 clock hours of formal child care education from an agency or organization with expertise in child care personnel preparation. Such agencies or organizations might include: four year colleges and universities, two year junior colleges or community colleges, vocational/technical schools, resource and referrals.
What does a CDA candidate have to do to achieve CDA certification?
The Candidate must present evidence of his/her competence through written documentation. Five components make up the documentation: 1.) Professional Resource file – prepared by the Candidate; 2.) Parent Opinion Questionnaires – collected by the Candidate; 3.) CDA Assessment Observation Instrument – completed by the Advisor; 4.) Early Childhood Studies Review – administered by the Council Rep; 5.) Oral Interview – conducted by the Council Rep.
For more information contact The Family ConservancySM; hwaterfield@thefamilyconservancy.org
or 800-755-0838/ 913-573-CARE, Extension 126.
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